Casio CPW-400 is a digital wristwatch released around 1993, known for its full titanium construction and built-in digital compass. It runs on module 1030 and combines standard Casio timekeeping functions (alarm, stopwatch, hourly signal) with one of the brand’s earliest direction sensors. Designed as the flagship of the CPW compass series, it marked the transition from experimental outdoor watches to what would soon become the PRO TREK line, Casio’s dedicated family of sensor-equipped adventure watches.
Casio CPW-400 – Quick Technical Data
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| Model | Casio CPW-400 |
| Module | 1030 |
| Battery | 2× SR927W (or equivalent 399) |
| Manual | Casio PDF Manual |
| Glass Type | No info |
| Strap Size | No info (lug) / No info (case) |
| Case Material | Full titanium (case, bezel, buttons, back, screws) |
| Functions | Digital compass • Timekeeping • Alarm • Stopwatch |
| Production Years | Around 1993–1994 (Japan domestic release) |
What color versions of Casio CPW-400 exist?
Only one version of the Casio CPW-400 is known, the titanium grey edition. This version features a matte metallic finish across the case and bezel, with a dark LCD border that highlights its rugged, utilitarian design.
- Titanium Grey (standard version) – full titanium body and bezel, black LCD surround, minimal printed accents.
No alternative color variants or limited editions have been confirmed, and all documented examples originate from Japanese catalogs and domestic market releases.
Production Context & History
The Casio CPW-400 appeared at the final stage of Casio’s early digital-compass experiments in the early 1990s. It followed earlier plastic-bodied models like the CPW-100, CPW-200, and CPW-300, representing the flagship and culmination of the first-generation CPW line.
A Japanese retrospective article titled CASIO全鈦登山怪獸的前身CPW400數字羅盤傳感器的起航 (“The Titanium Predecessor of Casio’s Mountain Monster – The Beginning of the Digital Compass Sensor”) described the CPW-400 as the direct ancestor of the PRO TREK line, symbolizing Casio’s transition from concept watches to practical outdoor instruments.
Historical context and key points:
- Released around 1993–1994 for the Japanese domestic market only.
- Built fully from titanium, including case, bezel, back, and screws, a rarity in Casio’s production at the time.
- Continued the direction-sensor technology introduced in the CPW-100.
- Served as the design and engineering bridge to the later ATC and early PRO TREK (PRT-4000) series.
- Represented Casio’s experimentation phase with wearable sensor technology, compact, durable, and lightweight.
Collector Notes
The Casio CPW-400 holds a special place among collectors for being both technically advanced and aestheticly unique within the early compass-watch family. It’s one of the few Casio models from the early 1990s to feature a fully titanium case, giving it a premium, tool-like feel that stood apart from the brand’s usual resin-based designs.
Dependence within the Casio CPW Compass Watch Family
The CPW-400 represents the final and most advanced stage of Casio’s early digital-compass development. It closed the first era of compass-equipped watches before Casio launched the sensor-based PRO TREK line.
Earlier CPW models experimented with design, water resistance, and firmware before reaching this titanium flagship:
- Casio CPW-100 – the first digital compass watch, using module 1031
- Casio CPW-110 – refined display and layout, module 1035
- Casio CPW-200 – outdoor-styled case, 100 m WR, and improved compass response
- Casio CPW-210 – minor design update with new LCD layout
- Casio CPW-220 – Japan-made successor with sensor refinement
- Casio CPW-310 – “Islamic Prayer Compass,” a culturally adapted branch
- Casio CPW-320 – same concept, updated module (1244), redesigned LCD
- Casio CPW-400 – titanium flagship and the bridge to the PRO TREK (PRT-4000) generation
Each of these watches contributed a piece of Casio’s sensor evolution, from simple digital direction finding to multi-sensor outdoor instrumentation.
FAQ – Casio CPW-400
When was the Casio CPW-400 released?
The Casio CPW-400 was released around 1993–1994 as part of Casio’s first generation of digital compass watches, produced mainly for the Japanese domestic market.
What module does the Casio CPW-400 use?
It uses module 1030, the same one found in the CPW-200, featuring a digital compass, timekeeping, alarm, and stopwatch functions.
Is the Casio CPW-400 made entirely from titanium?
Yes. The CPW-400’s case, bezel, buttons, screws, and case back are all made from titanium, a rare material choice for Casio during the early 1990s.
How rare is the Casio CPW-400?
It is considered extremely rare. The model was likely produced in limited numbers and sold only in Japan, making surviving examples highly collectible today.
Which later Casio models continued the CPW-400’s concept?
The CPW-400’s design and technology directly influenced the first PRO TREK models, such as the PRT-4000, continuing Casio’s focus on sensor-equipped outdoor watches.
Daniel is the person behind Vintage Casio Restore, a project dedicated to restoring and documenting vintage Casio digital watches from the 80s and 90s. Based in Poland, he combines technical precision with a passion for retro design, bringing forgotten models back to life and sharing their stories online.
Outside the workshop, Daniel works in a digital agency, managing SEO and content strategy for technology clients, blending his professional experience with his love for classic tech and design.
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